The fate of Darnell Moore, who is accused of murdering Namdi Smart on Aug. 26, 2010, in Norwich, rests in the hands of a jury.

The jury of six men and six women began weighing the evidence Friday in the trial in Norwich Superior Court before Judge Barbara Jungbloed.

Moore, known as “Boo” or “Boo-Boo,” is accused of shooting Smart outside Smart’s home on Lake Street after a dispute.

Assistant State’s Attorney David Smith told the jury that Moore had the motive, means and opportunity to commit the crime.

During the trial, witnesses said that at the end of the earlier dispute, in which Smart grabbed Moore by the shirt and ripped its collar, an angry Moore threatened Smart, saying “I’ll be back,” and pointing his hand with two fingers extended like a gun at Smart, Smith said in his closing argument.

Samuel Gomez, formerly of Montville, testified that he brought a .45-caliber pistol to Norwich and gave it to Moore, Smith said. Then he, Moore and two others drove from Spaulding Street to Lake Street to make sure Smart was still outside his house amid a group of other people, Smith said.

Gomez said Moore left the car while he stayed in it, Smith said, then Gomez testified he heard one shot. Afterward, Gomez said he was given the gun to dispose of, which he did, Smith said.

“Focus on the totality of the evidence that was presented,” Smith urged the jury. “The facts of the shooting and who did it are clear.”

Moore’s lawyer, Norman Pattis, agreed in his closing argument that Smart had been murdered and that Smart and Moore had argued earlier, but he said it was far from clear who shot Smart.

“I think there’s more doubt here than proof,” Pattis said.

“There was no physical evidence. None,” he said. “No bullet, no gun, no fingerprints, no confession, just a confused gaggle of young women.”

Pattis admitted that Moore was angry after the earlier fight. “Darnell Moore was not calm. He was a young man doing what young men do too often. … He and Nambi got in a beef, and he stalked off in a huff.”

But no eyewitness saw a gun in Moore’s hand when he returned, Pattis said. “Miss (Laryssa) Reeves didn’t see a gun. How did she see him shoot him?”

Pattis said it was possible someone else there shot Smart. “We don’t have to prove someone else killed (Smart), but we can suggest someone else did.”

Page 2 of 2 - “Mr. Moore was arrested because some people said he was there, that he shot and killed Nambi Smart.” Pattis told the jury. “The state did its job. Now you must do your job.”

Moore is entitled to a presumption of innocence, Pattis said. “The reason we have jury trials is because it’s easy to accuse. … Because today you are all that Darnell Moore has.

“I’m begging you to return a verdict of not guilty,” Pattis said.

Smith urged jurors to weigh the evidence, not his and Pattis’ arguments. “The evidence we have all points to the defendant,” he said. “Use your common sense on this. Apply those laws to the facts of the case.”